*Research warns of fast-rising waters (“Scientists know a few things about sea levels: They’re rising across the globe, though not uniformly. And they’re rising faster than they had been. In Hampton Roads, seas are rising even faster because the Gulf Stream has slowed down and because land here is sinking, a result of the region’s geology and groundwater withdrawals.”)

Key quote from that article, in a discussion of the impact of a three foot rise in sea level:

Miami tops the list of most endangered cities in the world, as measured by the value of property that would be threatened by a three-foot rise. This would flood all of Miami Beach and leave downtown Miami sitting as an island of water, disconnected from the rest of Florida. Other threatened U.S. cities include New York/Newark, New Orleans, Boston, Washington, Philadelphia, Tampa-St Petersburg, and San Francisco. Osaka/Kobe, Tokyo, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, and Nagoya are among the most threatened major cities outside of North America.

Preserving coastal cities will require huge public expenditures, leaving smaller coastal resort communities to fend for themselves. Manhattan, for example, is likely to beat out Nags Head, North Carolina for federal funds, a fact that recreational beach communities must recognize when planning a response to sea level rise.

Twelve percent of the world’s open ocean shorelines are fronted by barrier islands, and a three-foot sea level rise will spell doom for development on most of them . . . .

The key recommendations of that article were:

Immediately prohibit the construction of high-rise buildings and major infrastructure in areas vulnerable to future sea level rise. Buildings placed in future hazardous zones should be small and movable – or disposable.

Relocation of buildings and infrastructure should be a guiding philosophy. Instead of making major repairs on infrastructure such as bridges, water supply, and sewer and drainage systems, when major maintenance is needed, go the extra mile and place them out of reach of the sea. In our view, no new sewer and water lines should be introduced to zones that will be adversely affected by sea level rise in the next 50 years. Relocation of some beach buildings could be implemented after severe storms or with financial incentives.

Stop government assistance for oceanfront rebuilding. The guarantee of recovery is perhaps the biggest obstacle to a sensible response to sea level rise. The goal in the past has always been to restore conditions to what they were before a storm or flood. In the United States, hurricanes have become urban renewal programs. The replacement houses become larger and larger and even more costly to replace again in the future. Those who invest in vulnerable coastal areas need to assume responsibility for that decision. If you stay, you pay.

Not only are we not doing any of that stuff, we are not even talking about it.

Quizzical

One problem that Scott Walker has that I see is that he seems to be advocating much more military intervention in the Middle East, and I don’t think the public has much appetite for that any more. In a speech I saw yesterday, he went on and on in an attack on Hillary Clinton, blaming her for everything that’s bad in the Middle East (Libya, Syria, Iraq, ISIS, you name it)and promising that he will be more forceful than Obama/Clinton.

No one can question that as Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton tried real hard. She was traveling all the time. What all that accomplished is a matter for debate. https://www.foreignaffairs.com…

That aside, it is hard to criticize the Obama Administration for bombing in Libya and in the next breath for not bombing Syria for “crossing the red line.” Likewise, it is hard to criticize the Obama Administration for not destroying ISIL when it has been engaged in an airstrike campaign against ISIL for more than a year.

Scott Walker has fallen into the trap that in an effort to show that he brings more substance to the table than anyone else, he is being much more specific in his criticisms and proposals. And the Republican voters apparently aren’t finding what he has to say very attractive.

Why would they want Scott Walker when they could have Donald Trump, a multi-billionaire? What has Scott Walker ever done, except fend off a recall vote? Trump, on the other hand, is a multi-billionaire, and has instant and evidently lasting credibility on political issues just because of that.

Good stuff, note that there aren’t any Republican signers on there. Hmmmm…

WARNER, KAINE PUSH SEC TO REQUIRE PUBLIC COMPANIES TO DISCLOSE THEIR POLITICAL SPENDING TO SHAREHOLDERS

~ Would increase transparency in political process and allow a company’s shareholders to know how their money is being spent ~

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) today pressed the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to require public companies to disclose political spending to their shareholders, a move that would increase transparency in the U.S. political process following the Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United decision that unleashed unlimited corporate spending into American elections.

Without requirements for disclosure, corporate political spending can become “dark money” that influences elections without voters being able to see the source of the money or take into account what special interests may be behind it. In a letter sent today to SEC Chairwoman Mary Jo White, Sens. Warner and Kaine wrote that requiring public corporations to disclose their political spending to shareholders would bring “much needed accountability to shareholders and transparency to corporate political spending.”

Wrote the Senators, “We believe this is consistent with the SEC’s requirement for public companies to disclose meaningful financial information to the public. We strongly disagree with the Supreme Court’s 2010 decision in Citizens United v. FEC that allowed unlimited and unchecked corporate spending on campaign ads and various other political communications. This reversed long-standing precedent and has moved our country in a different and disturbing direction when it comes to corporate influence in politics.”

After a record number of people signed a petition asking for the SEC to address shareholder disclosure of political spending, the SEC added the item to its rulemaking agenda for 2013. The rule was never completed, however, and in 2014, it was pulled from the SEC’s docket with little explanation.

In today’s letter, the Senators wrote, “We add our voices to the many who have expressed frustration and disappointment that the SEC decided to remove this issue from its regulatory agenda entirely…. We ask that you make this a top priority for the SEC in the near term, and inform us of the basis for your decision should you not plan to include it on the Commission’s agenda for the upcoming year.”

RICHMOND – Today, Governor Terry McAuliffe announced that his administration restored the voting and civil rights of 10,009 individuals. The McAuliffe administration has restored the rights of more Virginians than any other Governor in a four year term.

“I am so proud of the work my team has done processing more than 10,000 of these important requests, and also making key changes to the process to make it more fair and accessible to Virginians,” said Governor McAuliffe. “Restoring the rights of Virginians who have made a mistake and paid the price is one of my Administration’s top priorities and I look forward to continuing to make history on this critical issue.”

Since the beginning of Governor McAuliffe’s term, he has implemented key changes to the restoration of rights process. First, he removed the requirement to pay court fees before submitting a restoration of rights application. Although individuals still have to pay the fees at a later time, it is no longer a barrier in the application process. Second, serious offenders are now required to wait three years instead of five years to apply. Third, the application is now one page long – down from 13 pages. Fourth, criminal records will have a restoration of rights notation once an individual has been restored. Fifth, all drug convictions are now classified as non-violent offenses.

“It is an honor to work with Governor McAuliffe and our talented team to help more Virginians who have made a mistake get a second chance at meaningful and productive lives,” said Secretary of the Commonwealth Levar Stoney. “Going forward we will continue to process as many applications as we can and encourage the Virginians whose rights we restore to use them to the fullest by registering to vote and participating in the democratic process.”

If you or someone you know has been convicted of a felony and served their time, restoration of rights might be available. For more information, call 804-692-0104 or visit commonwealth.virginia.gov.